logo
Consultation to consider extending ban on destructive bottom trawling fishing

Consultation to consider extending ban on destructive bottom trawling fishing

Marine and fisheries stakeholders are being asked to take part in a consultation on the prohibition of destructive bottom-towed fishing gear that could affect approximately 30,000 km2 across 41 marine protected areas (MPAs).
Environment Secretary Steve Reed says 'urgent action' is needed to protect seabeds and nature before irreversible damage is caused.
The UK is under pressure to step up marine protections as the third UN Ocean Conference begins in France on Monday.
Governments, business leaders, scientists and campaigners are gathering for the environmental summit in Nice where the spotlight will be on the commitments individual governments make to reduce the impact on their territorial waters, such as banning the damaging fishing practice of bottom trawling in MPAs.
The consultation, led by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and Defra, runs for 12 weeks from Monday to September 1.
The proposed measures would add to the approximately 18,000 km2 of English seabed already protected from bottom-towed fishing gear.
MPAs are areas of the ocean established to protect habitats and species essential for healthy marine ecosystems, allowing vulnerable, rare and important marine life to recover from damaging human activities.
Bottom trawling and other forms of destructive fishing are permitted in UK waters but conservationists have long been campaigning for a full ban across all marine protected areas.
There are 181 MPAs, including three highly protected marine areas (HPMAs), covering 93,000km² or 40% of English waters.
The measures aim to protect marine habitats ranging from subtidal sandbanks to gravels to muds, and support important marine species such as lobster, clams, soft corals and langoustines.
A ban on bottom trawling in these areas could help conserve valuable and rare marine life, and allow seabeds to recover from damage caused by destructive fishing practices.
It could lead to healthier marine ecosystems across English waters, support greater biodiversity and help preserve vulnerable underwater life.
New management measures for fishing in 42 MPAs in English waters – a ban on bottom-towed fishing in 41, and the prohibition of fishing using traps in a specified area – are among the proposals.
Mr Reed said: 'Bottom trawling is damaging our precious marine wildlife and habitats.
'Without urgent action, our oceans will be irreversibly destroyed – depriving us, and generations to come, of the sea life on which we all enjoy.
'The Government is taking decisive action to ban destructive bottom trawling where appropriate.'
Ariana Densham, head of oceans at Greenpeace UK, said the consultation is 'ultimately a long-overdue completion of a process started by the previous government' and added that bottom-trawling in the protected sea areas is 'like bulldozing national parks'.
She said: 'The Government should now strengthen the ban to cover all parts of our marine protected areas, and other types of destructive industrial fishing like supertrawlers and fly-shooters.
'Only this will ensure our marine ecosystems are protected in reality – not only on paper.
'The goal to protect at least 30% of the ocean by 2030 is global, and while the UK must do its part at home it also has a critical role to play in protecting the high seas far from our shores.'
Tom Brook, ocean conservation specialist at WWF, said 'done right, these protections can be a win for people, nature and the climate' and 'this is exactly the kind of leadership we need if the UK is to deliver on its promise to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030'.
Joan Edwards, The Wildlife Trusts policy and public affairs director, hoped the consultation would see the measures introduced 'rapidly to enable recovery of these sites, a win-win for both nature and the climate.'
Oceana UK executive director Hugo Tagholm described the proposals as 'a golden opportunity to safeguard these vital marine sanctuaries from the most damaging fishing practices.'
He added: 'If these whole-site bans are fully implemented, this could provide an invaluable and urgently needed lifeline for England's seas, which are so crucial for wildlife and climate resilience.'
The consultation comes after Ocean With David Attenborough, released in cinemas to mark the renowned naturalist and TV presenter's 99th birthday last month, showed new footage of a bottom trawling net blasting through silt on the seafloor and scooping up species indiscriminately.
The world will also be watching at the summit in Nice to see which countries ratify the UN High Seas Treaty – a pact to establish protected areas across international waters.
The ocean treaty, which was agreed by 193 countries two years ago, will not come into force until ratification by 60 countries but just over half of that number have done so.
The UK Government is among those that have been criticised by environmentalists for not yet ratifying the treaty or at the very least announcing a timetable to introduce the legislation required.
Asked last week whether there has been any progress, nature minister Mary Creagh told the PA news agency: 'We need a legislative slot in Parliament's timetable.
'Any international treaty has to be done by the Foreign Office. We have had discussions with Foreign Office ministers.
'I am confident the treaty will be ratified but it will be ratified in due course.'

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Sir Keir Starmer: Air India crash 'deeply distressing'
Sir Keir Starmer: Air India crash 'deeply distressing'

North Wales Chronicle

timean hour ago

  • North Wales Chronicle

Sir Keir Starmer: Air India crash 'deeply distressing'

The flight was departing from Ahmedabad airport, with 244 people onboard the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Air India has since confirmed that 169 passengers are Indian nationals, 53 are British, one is Canadian, and seven are Portuguese. Gatwick Airport confirmed the plane travelling from Ahmedabad Airport was due to land at 6.25pm UK time. Deeply saddened by news of a devastating plane crash in Ahmedabad, India. My thoughts are with all those affected. The UK is working with local authorities in India to urgently establish the facts and provide support. The PM said: "The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating. 'I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time.' Foreign Secretary David Lammy has also shared a statement on the crash, in a post on X, he said: "Deeply saddened by news of a devastating plane crash in Ahmedabad, India. 'My thoughts are with all those affected. The UK is working with local authorities in India to urgently establish the facts and provide support.' The Government previously said it will provide 'all the support that it can' to those on the Air India flight bound for Gatwick Airport which crashed shortly after take off, Commons Leader Lucy Powell said. Recommended reading: Flight to London Gatwick from India crashes with 244 people on board LIVE updates as Air India plane to London Gatwick crashes after take off 53 British nationals were on board crashed Air India flight bound for Gatwick Speaking in the Commons, she said: 'The thoughts of the whole House and the Government will be with the families of those traveling on flight AI171 from Ahmedabad in India to London, Gatwick, which has reportedly crashed. 'This is an unfolding story, and it will undoubtedly be causing a huge amount of worry and concern to the many, many families and communities here and those waiting for the arrival of their loved ones. 'We send our deepest sympathy and thoughts to all those families, and the Government will provide all the support that it can with those in India on those in this country as well.'

Determined mum wows to take on Scottish Government over 'Postcode Lottery' support for adults with learning disabilities
Determined mum wows to take on Scottish Government over 'Postcode Lottery' support for adults with learning disabilities

Daily Record

time3 hours ago

  • Daily Record

Determined mum wows to take on Scottish Government over 'Postcode Lottery' support for adults with learning disabilities

Margaret Roberts, from Ayr, claims her severely learning disabled son Brandon, is the victim of 'discrimination.' A devoted mum is demanding a national review of transport provision for adults who are learning disabled across all health and social care partnerships (HSCPs) in Scotland. Margaret Roberts, from Ayr, claims her severely learning disabled son Brandon, is the victim of 'discrimination'- because South Ayrshire Council's HSCP won't help fund and meet his complex care and transport needs. ‌ And Margaret claims the discrimination of learning disabled adults' care needs is more widespread - after discovering that many other Scottish local authorities DO fund transport costs. ‌ She said: 'This is an atrocious case of discrimination and it's an issue that needs to be urgently reviewed by the Scottish Government. 'Basically, the South Ayrshire Council HSCP were trying to make Brandon fit a service that didn't fit him and I am not going to allow this. Instead, I am challenging the system and I am requesting that the Scottish Government, conducts a national review of transport provision for adults with learning disabilities - across all HSCPs.' Ayrshire Live previously told how Margaret and Brandon were left in limbo last year following a dispute with South Ayrshire Council's HSCP over Brandon's health and social care needs. At the time Margaret claimed she'd been forced to adopt additional caring pressures for Brandon, after a fallout with social care chiefs. The dispute arrived as a result of the local authority's proposed new day-care service package which identified Arrol Park, in Doonfoot Road, Ayr, for Brandon's health and social care needs. ‌ However, Margaret labelled the set-up 'unsuitable and dangerous for Brandon,' because Brandon has a history of absconding and has no road safety awareness. She was also told that the council would not help fund transport arrangements for Brandon to attend. The South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership said they were willing to 'work with the family' to achieve the best outcome for Brandon, but so far the situation hasn't changed. Brandon is still supported by his mum 24/7 for the last 16 months. And it's prompted Margaret to claim a 'Postcode Lottery' exists after she raised a Freedom of Information request showing that many other councils do stump up the cash for similar needs. ‌ Margaret now has the backing of one MSP who has been made aware of her situation and is also calling for a review. Brandon, 28, is severely learning disabled and lives with Autism. He is also non-verbal and has a fixation with transport. ‌ On one previous occasion Brandon absconded was later traced on a train to Aberdeen. He previously attended Camphill Blairdrummod, a third sector day service in Stirling since leaving school nine years ago. Margaret and Brandon moved to South Ayrshire in November 2023 which resulted in Brandon's care package being transferred from the East Dunbartonshire Adult Disabilities Team to the South Ayrshire Adult Disabilities Team. ‌ From the outset of Brandon transferring to South Ayrshire - and before any needs assessment had been done by a social worker - it was stipulated by the social work department that they would not be funding the same care package for Brandon. Margaret was also told Brandon would be going to Arrol Park Resource Centre three days per week - and they would NOT be providing transport to assist his travel. ‌ According to Margaret, South Ayrshire Social workers even suggested that he purchased a mobility car to fund his own travel and that his mum could drop him off and collect him. But Margaret has her own professional career and unable to facilitate this. Again, says Margaret, this was suggested without a carers support plan 'being completed.' ‌ Despite meetings with the head of service and social work service manager, Margaret's still not been able to secure an agreement that suits Brandon's care needs. Margaret said: 'The Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 states that carers should be supported to work if they choose to do so. Social workers are required to take the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 into consideration when developing an individual's carers support plan. They should consider their need to balance their caring responsibilities with work, quality of life and wellbeing whilst undertaking their caring role.' Margaret's situation was assessed as part of her carers support plan assessment. But nothing put in place to enable her to balance work commitments and transport Brandon to and from the identified suitable service. ‌ 'The Scottish Government's health and wellbeing framework stipulates that the priority for Scottish Ministers is to improve people's experience of health and care services and the outcomes that services achieve,' said Margaret. 'In particular, improving the quality and consistency of outcomes across Scotland, so that people and carers have a similar experience of services and support, whichever, Health Board or Local Authority area they live within. 'But there are inconsistencies and people like Brandon are not getting the level of service they are entitled to, so there's discrepancies and discrimination here.' ‌ Margaret set out to conduct research at national level to scope out how many local authorities across the country implemented the same practices. There are 32 local authorities in Scotland. Margaret contacted the 32 local authorities using under the Freedom of Information Act. ‌ And, according to Margaret, her findings demonstrated a 'clear inequality' across the country in relation to providing transport for people who are learning disabled to their day services. She said: 'This inconsistent approach clearly demonstrates a postcode lottery, where services are determined not by need, but by geography, for those who are learning disabled adults.' Margaret's FOI shows there are 13 local authorities who do not provide transport. All three local authorities in Ayrshire (North, East and South) don't provide this. ‌ Margaret said: 'This situation raises serious human rights concerns. Unpaid carers are being relied upon to provide daily transport, often at the expense of their own employment and wellbeing, contrary to the Scottish Government's statutory commitments to support carers. 'Carers have been forced to reduce working hours, give up careers that they have worked hard for to facilitate travel for their adult to access a day service. This forces families further into poverty and poor health outcomes.' Margaret is now campaigning for the power of these decisions to be removed from local authorities and for Scottish government to take leaderships on this issue and conduct a national review of transport for provision, for adults who are learning disabled- across all HSCPs. ‌ She also requesting that Holyrood introduce clear national guidance or standards to ensure equity and consistency in service access across Scotland and a 'rights-based approach to future service planning,' 'in line with Scotland's obligations under international and domestic law.' She added: 'This is a matter of dignity, fairness, and equality and should be treated it with the gravity it deserves and to also address the growing inequalities faced by learning disabled adults and the families who support them.' A spokesperson for the South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership said: 'South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership are working to achieve the principles set out by Scottish Government and our local Strategy to provide care closer to people's homes. ‌ 'We can't comment on individual cases, but we continue to work with the family to achieve the best outcomes based on the principles of improving health and wellbeing, choice and control, living as independently as possible and active citizenship.' Social Care Minister Maree Todd, who this week moved across to take on the drug and alcohol ministerial brief, said: 'The Scottish Government want those with learning disabilities to live longer and healthier lives. ‌ 'Independent living is a crucial part of enabling human rights, with self-directed support playing a key role in delivering this. 'The Scottish Government holds overarching responsibility for health and social care policy in Scotland and has published clear standards outlining what people should expect when accessing services. 'The statutory responsibility for delivering, commissioning and providing appropriate social care services at a local level lies with local authorities and Health and Social Care Partnerships, taking account of local population needs.' ‌ South Scotland Labour List MSP, Colin Smyth, said: 'Margaret and Brandon's situation is deeply upsetting— and sadly, it reflects a wider problem families across Scotland are facing. 'There is a clear postcode lottery that exists when it comes to support for adults with learning disabilities. 'Some Health and Social Care Partnerships fund transport, others don't— and that inconsistency is placing huge pressure on carers and creating unnecessary barriers for those who need help the most. 'Families shouldn't be forced to fight for basic support because of where they happen to live. The system must be fairer.' He added: 'The Scottish Government needs to carry out a national review and bring forward clear guidance to ensure everyone, no matter where they live, gets the support they're entitled to.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store